Terms and conditions

LEGAL PROPERTY
‍Algarve Cruising Center is Trademark® belonging to Non-Profit Organization (NPO) – Associação para o Estudo e Conservação dos Oceanos–headquarters Campus Gambelas, Pavilhão 44 – Universidade do Algarve, 8005-201 Faro.

‍SERVICES
‍We organize sailing expeditions that allow participants to gain sailing experience and more advanced training.

‍PROVISIONING
‍During our courses, basic provisions are provided for breakfast and lunch onboard. Meals and drinks onshore are not included.

‍VESSELS
‍Algarve Cruising Center uses vessels that are well maintained, however, if breakages or mechanical failures occur, we ask for your patience and understanding, since this can be part of boating. Every effort will be made to ensure the vessel is repaired at the earliest opportunity. If this is not possible, an alternative vessel will be made available. Algarve Cruising Center shall not be held responsible for any time the customer feels that has been lost, whilst every attempt is made to address any problems that may occur.

‍SMOKING
‍We operate a strict no-smoking policy. Smoking is not allowed onboard or on the dock close to the boat.

‍BOOKINGS
‍Booking confirmations will only be provided after the reception of both the enrolment form correctly filled and the non-refundable deposit wire transfer. Please note that the remaining payment must be made 30 days before the course starts. A payment advice note will be issued following the booking request and the client has 24 hours to accomplish the deposit payment. After that period Algarve Cruising Center will be entitled to accept another booking without prior notice.
Booking - 500€ to secure your place.
Remaining until 30 days from the course start.
If the booking is made less than 30 days before the start of the course/expedition, full payment should be made.
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‍PAYMENT METHOD
‍Payments must be made either with cash or by wire transfer. Wires must be made in euro currency, free of any bank charges or taxes.  The invoice will be issued as soon as the full payment is received.
Full payment should be made before the 1st day of the course. We do not run exams without the payment of the course being completed.

‍PRICES
‍Prices are in Euros and DO NOT include bank fees or other international taxes. Algarve Cruising Center reserves the right to change prices without notice, except for bookings already made.
Membership fees and fees for our ocean conservation project are included in the price of your course. Invoice/receipt will be issued in the name of our association RTV - Associação para o Estudo e Conservação dos Oceanos.

CERTIFICATIONS REVALIDATION
IYT certifications are made every 5 years. Price varies according to the category of your certification.
Payment should be made to IYT worldwide, You will receive an email with payment instructions 1 month before your certification expires.

‍MOORING FEES
‍Mooring fees are included in the price of the courses.

RETAKE EXAM FEES / CLASS NUMBER
‍Practical exam - 200€
Theory exam - 100€
Sailing - 4 students
Powerboat - 4 or 5 (1 day)
Expeditions - 5

‍PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
‍It is according to Portuguese and Spanish law that photographic identification is to be carried by all persons at all times.

‍PERSONAL INSURANCE
‍It is strongly advised that participants obtain their own insurance for sickness, illness, loss of trip fees, loss of personal effects, breakages or damages to the boat, cancellation or curtailment, travel disruption or delay, accident onboard, or any other reason considered appropriate for each participant activity and well-being. Whilst the Algarve Cruising Center carries full public liability insurance you should satisfy yourself that you are covered for personal injury and cancellation insurance.

‍INCLUSION / EXCLUSION POLICY
‍Courses are not open under 16yo. It is mandatory to inform upon booking of any health issues that may affect the suitability of the participant. Also, any active treatments being followed either including drugs or not, must be disclosed.
IYT courses and certifications request both a medical check and a formal declaration. We can assist you in booking a physician if needed. The consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs is strictly forbidden onboard the vessels, either in the interior space or on the deck, as well as in any building used by the Algarve Cruising Center.
Under no circumstances cigarette butts or other litter should be thrown into the sea.
The failure to comply with these rules entitles the skipper to immediately exclude any participant without refund nor any additional travel expenses reimbursed, and without possibility of transference to a future course.  



‍ALTERATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS
The itinerary can be changed according to the weather forecast. Participants are encouraged to take holiday cancellation or personal travel insurance. Participants are entitled to cancel the booking at any time, but please note that the deposit is non-refundable, independently of the cancellation cause. If the cancelation is made by Algarve Cruising Center clients will be fully refunded, meaning that the deposit, will be fully refunded. Please note, however, that no liability shall be attached to Algarve Cruising Center beyond refunding the fee paid as a deposit, meaning that any extra taxes or costs are not entitled to refund. Also, no payment will be made for incidental costs.
Cancellation by the client less than 30 days before the courses starts or during a course: no refund nor any additional travel expenses reimbursed.

‍FORCE MAJEURE
‍Atlantic Explorers shall not be liable for any expenses incurred due to Force Majeure, including, weather conditions, strikes, acts of Government, war, or any other occurrence beyond our control.

‍REFUNDS
‍Algarve Cruising Center shall not be responsible for unused tickets or cancelled tickets (either full or portions) from air services or other transport providers, or for any other kind of unused services.

‍DELAY OR FAILURE TO ARRIVE
Algarve Cruising Center must be informed as soon as possible if a participant is likely to be delayed beyond the start time of the course. It is at the discretion of the skipper/instructor if the start time can be delayed or, in case it won’t be possible, if the fees paid can be transferred to a future course.
If a participant fails to arrive, for any reason whatsoever including illness, without any previous notice to the Algarve Cruising Center the booking fees will not be refunded.

‍PHOTOGRAPHS USED IN PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
‍You agree that any photographs taken during training, that may feature you, can be used by Algarve Cruising Center for promotional purposes. Photographs will never be taken of minors.

‍RISK DISCLAIMER
‍No liability is accepted for personal items. This includes all Algarve Cruising Center premises such as onboard vessels or at the marina facilities. No liability is accepted for participants whilst in, or on, any Algarve Cruising Center property or property used by Algarve Cruising Center or whilst embarking or disembarking any vessel used by Algarve Cruising Center. All participants take part in any trip at their own risk. The act of signing for a course implies the understanding and acceptance of the present terms and conditions, including the risk disclaimer above and liability as explained in this document.

‍COMPLAINTS
‍Notice of any complaint should be made to your instructor at the time of the complaint arising. If the complaint cannot be resolved on board, then the complaint should be made in writing to the responsible for the Algarve Cruising Center and will be dealt with as a matter of importance. RTV-Associação para o Estudo e Conservação dos Oceanos has a complaint book.

‍DISPUTES
‍Any dispute should be brought to the attention of the skipper at the earliest opportunity to be resolved. In the event of a dispute not being settled by mutual agreement, it is agreed that this agreement (contract) shall be governed by the laws of Portugal and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Faro. It is further agreed that all agreements between participants/clients and staff of Algarve Cruising Center shall be governed by Portuguese Law, even when the dispute occurs outside Portuguese territorial waters.

Before booking with us you also need to read our What to expect page. There you will find general rules, roles, what's included and more information.